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The closing of Kroger in south Jackson is a difficult issue that city officials are rightfully trying to address to the best of their ability.

It’s hard to blame a company for closing an under-performing location, but that doesn’t lessen the impact it will have on an area already designated as a “food desert” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

City officials and community leaders have sent a letter asking the Cincinnati-based grocery to reverse course and keep the south Jackson location open. However, these same leaders are being realistic in their expectations. They know this decision wasn’t made hastily and that the odds of Kroger changing course before the Feb. 28 closing deadline are long.

That’s why city officials are also looking at other alternatives, grocery chains that might move into the area to help fill the void left by Kroger. However, Kroger is still a key player in the future of that site because it owns the property.

City officials are continuing to meet with Kroger corporate officials, and so far indications are the company is willing to work in good faith with any appropriate buyer. What we hope Kroger will do is ensure any existing deed restrictions preventing other grocers from entering the property are removed and to stay open to a variety of sale or lease options.

Kroger has been and remains a good corporate partner throughout Jackson and the metro area. Closing the south Jackson store is a business decision. Clearly the company would be best served if they could find a buyer for the property quickly. Hopefully the city can help facilitate such an agreement.

However, the city is going to have to do more than just facilitate a new buyer. They are going to have to find ways to revitalize the area so that it can maintain and even grow the population base that will support large businesses like a grocery store. That includes finding ways to increase policing to help reduce petty crimes like vandalism and shoplifting that often play a key role in businesses’ decisions to leave an area.

The two city leaders currently leading the effort to bring a new grocer to the area are both younger and relatively new to their jobs. That’s not a knock against Mayor Tony Yarber and Councilman Tyrone Hendrix. Just the opposite, that’s a point of hope in this situation. They bring fresh ideas and new energy to a battle that has long been waged.

We hope Kroger, which maintains other stores in and around Jackson, will work with Yarber, Hendrix and other city leaders to find the best solution possible. We also hope Yarber and Hendrix will impress upon other city leaders and the police department the need to do better in restoring the once vibrant south Jackson area.